The Barrow-wights were evil spirits, although their true nature is unknown; it is not known if they were perverted [[Maiar]] ([[Úmaiar]]) or [[Fëa and hröa|spirits]] of [[Orcs]], fallen [[Avari]], or evil Men.

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The Barrow-wights were evil spirits, sent to the [[Barrow-downs]] by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] in order to prevent a resurrection of the destroyed [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Cardolan]],<ref name=Eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref><ref name=Elendil>{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 194</ref> which stirred the dead bones in the mounds.<ref name=I7>{{FR|I7}}</ref> The true nature of these spirits is unknown; possibly they were perverted [[Maiar]] or [[Fëa and hröa|spirits]] of [[Orcs]], fallen [[Avari]], or evil Men.

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The [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] sent them to the [[Barrow-downs]], in order to prevent a resurrection of the destroyed [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Cardolan]]. The spirits stirred the dead bones in the mounds and haunted them.<ref name=Eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref><ref name=Elendil>{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 194</ref><ref name=I7>{{FR|I7}}</ref>

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During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Frodo Baggins]] and company were trapped in the [[Barrow-downs]] by the [[magic|spells]] of the Barrow-wights, and twere nearly slain by the creatures.<ref name=Barrow>{{FR|I8}}</ref> They were saved in the last minute by [[Tom Bombadil]], who seemed to have had complete authority over them. Indeed Tom (according to [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse) escaped a Barrow-wight on another occasion, using his enchanting incantations.<ref name=AB1/> Perhaps his authority was sourced by the inherent power he had on this region of the world, not the spirits themselves.

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The Barrow-wights appeared as shadowy figures with a pale, icy light gleaming from what would be their eyes. They could speak, with deep, hollow and cold voices, and likewise their touch was icy.<ref name=Barrow/><ref name=AB1/> They were furthermore infamous for carrying rattling gold-rings on their bony fingers.<ref name=I7/><ref name=AB2>{{AB|2}}</ref>

The Barrow-wights appeared as shadowy figures with a pale, icy light gleaming from what would be their eyes. They could speak, with deep, hollow and cold voices, and likewise their touch was icy.<ref name=Barrow/><ref name=AB1/> They were furthermore infamous for carrying rattling gold-rings on their bony fingers.<ref name=I7/><ref name=AB2>{{AB|2}}</ref>

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According to [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, [[Tom Bombadil]] escaped a Barrow-wight on some occasion, using his enchanting incantations.<ref name=AB1/> Perhaps his authority was sourced by the inherent power he had on this region of the world, not the spirits themselves.

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During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Frodo Baggins]] and company were trapped in the [[Barrow-downs]] by the [[magic|spells]] of the Barrow-wights, and were nearly slain by the creatures.<ref name=Barrow>{{FR|I8}}</ref> They were saved in the last minute by Tom, who seemed to have had complete authority over them.

==Names==

==Names==

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According to [[Elrond]], the [[Elves]] knew the Barrow-wights by many names.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> While these names are not recorded (except for the general denomination "evil spirits"), the creatures were also called '''Barrow-dwellers''' in Hobbit lore.<ref name=AB1>{{AB|1}}</ref> Often, they were also referred by the shortened form ''wight''.<ref name=LotR/>

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According to [[Elrond]], the [[Elves]] knew the Barrow-wights by many names.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> While these names are not recorded (except for the general denomination "evil spirits"), the creatures were also called "'''Barrow-dwellers'''" in Hobbit lore.<ref name=AB1>{{AB|1}}</ref> Often, they were also referred to by the shortened form "'''Wights'''".<ref name=LotR/><ref>The use of a capital "W" for the short form was noted by Jerome S. Colburn in [[Elfling]] message [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elfling/message/19711 19711 (24 November 2002)]; compare "''They are Elvish wights''", in {{RK|Company}}</ref>

*Etymology: ''[[Barrows|barrow]]'' + ''[[wights|wight]]''

*Etymology: ''[[Barrows|barrow]]'' + ''[[wights|wight]]''

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==Inspiration==

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They were based on the Old Norse Draugr. [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] borrowed this concept from Norse mythology, e.g. ''Waking of Angantyr'' and ''Hrómundar saga Gripssonar''.{{fact}}

== Other versions of the [[Legendarium]] ==

== Other versions of the [[Legendarium]] ==

Due to his inspiration from ''Hrómundar saga Gripssonar'', during the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]'') Tolkien at first foresaw a link between the wights and the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]]s, initially describing the Black Riders as horsed Wights, but the suggestion that they were the same kind of creatures was dropped in the published work. In the final work there remained a link between them: the wights were now spirits sent by the Witch-king.

Due to his inspiration from ''Hrómundar saga Gripssonar'', during the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]'') Tolkien at first foresaw a link between the wights and the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]]s, initially describing the Black Riders as horsed Wights, but the suggestion that they were the same kind of creatures was dropped in the published work. In the final work there remained a link between them: the wights were now spirits sent by the Witch-king.

: Remnants haunting their own tombs, the Barrow Wights are a type of greater Undead Beings. They draw energy from living beings, sacrificing their victims.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 124</ref>

: Remnants haunting their own tombs, the Barrow Wights are a type of greater Undead Beings. They draw energy from living beings, sacrificing their victims.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 124</ref>

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'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''

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: [[Sambrog]] is a Wight-lord of the Barrow-downs.

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: [[Sambrog]] is a Wight-lord of the Barrow-downs. Barrow Wights are not just confined to the Barrow Downs, but have risen in many parts of Middle-earth mainly around the decaying ruins of Arnor. Wights can be found haunting the darkest corners of Mirkwood to even the Elven ruins which dot Ered Luin. A clan of warriors in Dunland has even gone as far as trying to raise their own undead army.

The Barrow-wights appeared as shadowy figures with a pale, icy light gleaming from what would be their eyes. They could speak, with deep, hollow and cold voices, and likewise their touch was icy.[5][6] They were furthermore infamous for carrying rattling gold-rings on their bony fingers.[4][7]

According to Hobbit verse, Tom Bombadil escaped a Barrow-wight on some occasion, using his enchanting incantations.[6] Perhaps his authority was sourced by the inherent power he had on this region of the world, not the spirits themselves.

During the War of the Ring, Frodo Baggins and company were trapped in the Barrow-downs by the spells of the Barrow-wights, and were nearly slain by the creatures.[5] They were saved in the last minute by Tom, who seemed to have had complete authority over them.

Names

According to Elrond, the Elves knew the Barrow-wights by many names.[8] While these names are not recorded (except for the general denomination "evil spirits"), the creatures were also called "Barrow-dwellers" in Hobbit lore.[6] Often, they were also referred to by the shortened form "Wights".[1][9]

Due to his inspiration from Hrómundar saga Gripssonar, during the writing of The Lord of the Rings (see The History of The Lord of the Rings) Tolkien at first foresaw a link between the wights and the Ringwraiths, initially describing the Black Riders as horsed Wights, but the suggestion that they were the same kind of creatures was dropped in the published work. In the final work there remained a link between them: the wights were now spirits sent by the Witch-king.

Sambrog is a Wight-lord of the Barrow-downs. Barrow Wights are not just confined to the Barrow Downs, but have risen in many parts of Middle-earth mainly around the decaying ruins of Arnor. Wights can be found haunting the darkest corners of Mirkwood to even the Elven ruins which dot Ered Luin. A clan of warriors in Dunland has even gone as far as trying to raise their own undead army.